Music Ed Plus will give music students more experiential learning, work and volunteer opportunities.

The Department of Music and Career Services have teamed up to offer music majors a new program unique to Brock.

Called Music Ed Plus, the program creates experiential learning and community engagement opportunities for music students in the bachelor of music and bachelor of arts programs. Students will be able to apply what they learn in class to volunteer work, performance opportunities and chamber music ensembles.

There will also be guest lecturers from a variety of musical careers to let students know about the opportunities that exist when they graduate. Concerts, Career Services workshops and a mentorship program are also on the Music Ed Plus bill.

The new program comes in response to the University’s strategic mandate agreement and strategic plan.

Music Ed Plus makes Brock unique among Canadian universities with music programs, giving the University a competitive edge in student recruitment, said Pauline Dawson, manager of Experience Plus programs.

“Opportunities available through Music Ed Plus will help students develop the employability skills that employers are seeking,” Dawson said. “Students will be better prepared to make informed career decisions and will have an advantage when looking for work or further education opportunities.”

The program, which starts in September, will have 20-25 students in its first year. It will be administered by four of the Department of Music’s full-time faculty, Patricia Debly, who will serve as Music Ed Plus co-ordinator, Karin Di Bella, Brian Power and Matthew Royal.

Career Services will host workshops and document students’ volunteer placements and professional development experiences, as well as run the mentorship program.

For more information about the program, or for Brock community members involved with a musical organization to find out how they can help with music student community engagement, email musicedplus@brocku.ca.

Dear Xu Haichao, Thank you for your interest in our new co-curricular program. We will be contacting you on your Brock e-mail account so please check
there for an e-mail from “Music Ed Plus”. Best wishes, Dr. Debly, Music Ed Plus Co-ordinator.